19.1 Sugars, Sugar Alcohols and Sugar Products 879ening strength= 1 .0). Palatinit is practically not
hygroscopic.
19.1.4.7.2 Sorbitol
Sorbitol, a hygroscopic alcohol, is approximately
half as sweet as sucrose. It is used as a sweetener
for diabetics and in food canning. Sorbitol can
be produced on a commercial scale by catalytic
hydrogenation of glucose. Acid-catalyzed elim-
ination of water yields a mixture of 1,4-sorbitan
(85%, I) and 3,6-sorbitan (15%, II). Under
more drastic conditions (action of concentrated
acids), 1,4:3,6-dianhydrosorbitol (isosorbid III)
is formed (Formula 19.2).
(19.2)19.1.4.7.3 Xylitol
Xylose is obtained by hydrolysis of hemicellu-
loses. Catalytic hydrogenation of xylose yields
xylitol. Xylitol is as sweet as sucrose. Due to its
high heat of solution of− 23 .27 kJ/mol (sucrose:
6 .21 kJ/mol), it produces a cooling effect in the
mouth when it dissolves. This effect is utilized in
some candies.
19.1.4.7.4 Mannitol
Mannitol can be made by the hydrogenation of
invert sugar. As a result of its lower solubility, it
is separated from sorbitol, which is also produced
in the process, by chromatography.
19.1.5 Candies19.1.5.1 General OutlineCandies represent a subgroup of sweet commodi-
ties generally called confectionery. Products such
as long-storage cookies, cocoa and chocolate
products, ice cream and invert sugar cream are
also confections.
Candies are manufactured from all forms of
sugar and may also incorporate other foods
of diverse origin (dairy products, honey, fat,
cocoa, chocolate, marmalade, jellies, fruit juices,
herbs, spices, malt extract, seed kernels, rigid or
elastic gels, liqueurs or spirits, essences, etc.).
The essential and characteristic component of
all types of candy is sugar, not only sucrose,
but also other forms of sugar such as starch
sugar, starch syrup, invert sugar, maltose, lactose,
etc.
The important product groups include hard
and soft caramels (bonbons, toffees), fondant,
coconut flakes, foamy candies, gum candies,
licorice products, dragees, pastilles, fruit pastes,
chewing gum, croquant, effervescent powders,
and products made of sugar and almonds, nuts
and other protein-rich oil-containing seeds
(marzipan, persipan, nougat).19.1.5.2 Hard Caramel (Bonbons)For the production of these candies, a sucrose
solution is mixed with starch syrup and boiled
down to the desired water content either batch-
wise or continuously (Fig. 19.10). Generally
used are vacuum pans (120− 160 ◦C) and film
boiling machines in which evaporation takes
place in a rotating cylinder (110◦C→ 142 ◦C,
5 s). Volatile labile components (aroma sub-
stances) are added after cooling. This applies
to acids as well in order to prevent inversion.
Air is incorporated into the mass, if necessary.
Subsequently, the mass is formed into a cord and
processed into bonbons with the help of stamping
or casting machines that require a slightly
thinner mass. Modern plants have a capacity of
0. 6 − 1 .5t/h.
The composition of hard caramels is presented in
Table 19.9.